Gary Rowett gives his thoughts on facing Fulham

Derby County manager Gary Rowett has brushed off talk of Fulham being the team many wanted to avoid in the play-offs.

Fulham finished third in the Championship having been pipped by Cardiff City for the second automatic promotion place behind champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Look, they (Fulham) are a good side, we know they are a good side, a very dangerous side. Some people will feel that they are the side most teams would want to avoid, but look at Villa and look at Middlesbrough. Every team has got players that can hurt you.”

Runner-up for Curtis Davies

Derby County defender Curtis Davies has proved a snip at £500,000 in the summer.

He has become a mainstay in the Rams back line and continues to keep hold of the captain’s armband.

That has been rewarded by WhoScored.com, who have him as runner-up in their player of the season.

Davies comes behind Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore.

16:14Jonny Bonell

More ticket details coming soon

Stay tuned, as the away ticket details looks like it will be arriving shortly...

15:57Jonny Bonell

Igor, Igor!

Spot Stimac at Pride Park on Sunday?

Was great to see him back in the East Midlands.

What a man...

15:37Jonny Bonell

What are the fans saying?

The tension and build-up is well underway for Friday.

But what are the Derby County fans saying ahead of the game?

Here’s a sample.

15:23Jonny Bonell

Today's back

If you haven’t seen it yet, here it is.

Derby Telegraph back page 08/05/18

15:10Jonny Bonell

A bit of breaking news from the EFL

Goal-line technology will be used in all EFL play-off fixtures for the first time.

It was introduced into the Championship this season, but not in the third and fourth tiers.

So, for Derby, it isn’t anything majorly new. It will also be used in the final.

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said:

We are extremely aware of the difficult decisions facing match officials on any given match day, and we welcome the impact GLT is having to help PGMOL officials to make the right calls, even in the tightest of situations. Goal-line Technology has been a welcome and significant addition to the Championship throughout the 2017/18 season, playing an important role in the outcome of the campaign. It is therefore appropriate that the technology is incorporated into all Play-Off matches across all three divisions of the EFL given the magnitude of the outcome of every single game at this time of the season.”

14:47Jonny Bonell

Jason Knight helps Republic of Ireland U17 to victory

Derby County youngster Jason Knight played the full 90 as Republic of Ireland U17 secured a 1-0 win over Denmark in the U17 Euros.

Troy Parrott scored within five minutes to give the Republic all three points.

Derby strikers hitting form at just the right time

Cameron Jerome, Matej Vydra and David Nugent all scored for the Rams in their 4-1 home win over Barnsley on Sunday.

For Jerome it is now four goals in his last three outings.

Cammy has really stepped up. In all fairness to him, he hadn’t had many starts and I think it is difficult when you are in that scenario. He has performed really well recently, he has been a real handful and got goals.”